NRHEG fourth-grade student publishes book

ELEMENTARY AUTHOR — Jayna Domeier, a fourth-grade student at NRHEG Ellendale, is pictured in front of the display window housing her first book “The Teenage Tournament.” (Star Eagle photo by Jody Wynnemer)

By JODY WYNNEMER

Staff Writer

The present day educational system in the United States teaches our younger students the ability to read and write. After they learn the basics of reading, students are challenged to put their own thoughts down on paper. It may start out as a sentence, perhaps a paragraph or two, or in some cases, several pages. As students progress through the grades, their writing becomes more focused, with book reports and the dreaded term papers being written.

Imagine a fourth-grade student who likes reading so much she decided to write her own book.

NRHEG Elementary pupil Jayna Domeier is just that student.

Jayna, daughter of Mark and Michelle Domeier of Ellendale, recently published her first book titled, “The Teenage Tournament.”

“The idea just came to me,” said Jayna. “The book is about some eighth-grade students who are preparing to enter a tournament against some 12th-graders. The tournament isn’t sports related; it’s about school subjects, like the Knowledge Bowl. It took me about two weeks to complete working on it every day.”

Jayna is your typical fourth-grader. She enjoys gym class, English and reading. After school, she likes to play basketball and ride bike. She is active in 4-H participating in photography and food projects. J.K. Rowling — who wrote the Harry Potter Series — is her favorite author.

The old adage, “The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree” really holds true in Jayna’s case. Her father, an English teacher at  NRHEG, just published his first book called “Heroics 101.” It is available on Amazon.com.

“Michelle and I are very proud of her interest in writing and undertaking such a project,” said Mark. “She loves to write and did this story without any incentive for completing it. As an English teacher, I know how important it is to develop writing and creativity, and Jayna has done that quite well!”

Domeier has received positive feedback on her book from her fellow students.

“Mrs. Thorstad read the book to my class and everyone seemed to like it,” said Domeier.

Jayna’s teacher Lanae Thorstad also had some words of praise for her student/author.

“It did not surprise me when Jayna told me she was writing a book because she is so self-motivated,” said Thorstad. “She loves to read and write and challenges herself with both. She is an inspiration to me as I have always wanted to write a book but haven't fulfilled that dream. I have it on my bucket list, and to think she's already accomplished that goal. I can only guess what lies ahead in Jayna’s writing career!”

When asked if she planned to write another book, Jayna replied “Probably, but it will be after a while.”